Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi was a peaceful warrior who fought for

India’s independence, and for social justice for India’s people. To the

rest of the world, he demonstrated the power of non-violent protest as

an effective way to fight oppression.

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All over the world, people use non-violent protests to fight for justice - they march, sing,
sit, and either refuse to cooperate or to resist when authorities try to move them. This
form of protest is popular because it is often successful and because it does not involve
violence.
One man is given credit for proving the power of non-violent protests - Mahatma Gandhi.
Nearly a hundred years ago, Mohandas Gandhi (who came to be known later in life as
Mahatma, or “great soul”) was a lawyer from India who cared deeply about social
injustice. He first got involved in protests while working in South Africa, where the
Indian population was oppressed along with other non-whites.
On his return to India, Gandhi saw that his country was filled with unfairness, too -
classes and castes oppressed each other, and the ruling British imposed their rules on
everyone.
With his experience and quietly powerful personality, Gandhi soon became leader of the
protest movement demanding fair treatment and Indian independence from England. He
knew that violent protests would only give authorities an excuse to crack down on
everyone involved, and to arrest or harm protestors.